Percentage counter

ABSTRACT

An electronic counter having primary and percentage counters connected to be indexed together and a count selector connected to the primary counter for generating a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;predetermining&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; signal when the accumulated count of the primary counter reaches a preselected count and connected to the percentage counter for generating a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;percentage&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; signal and for resetting the percentage counter after each approximately 10 percent increment of the selected count. A numeral indicator is provided for indicating the accumulated count of the primary counter, and ten separate segments of a bar indicator are operable in succession by the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;percentage&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; signals to provide an analog display of the proportion of the selected count accumulated in the primary counter.

United States Patent Nelson [54] PERCENTAGE COUNTER [72] Inventor:Howard W. Nelson, Middletown,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: Veeder Industries Inc., Hartford,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Sept. 3, 1970 21 App1.No.: 69,310

52 US. Cl. ..235/92 EA, 235/92 QC, 235/92 PE,

235/92 R, 340/378, 235/92 CC [51] Int. Cl. .;....H03k 21/18 [58] Fieldof Search ..235/92 K, 92 EA, 235/92 QC, 92 PE, 235/92 DM, 92 PK,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,952,777 9/1960 Bamothy..235/92 QC 2,827,626 3/ 1958 De Motte ..235/92EA 2,970,763 2/ 1961Freeman ..235/92 EA 2,997,234 8/1961 Hughes ..235/92 DM DECADE DECADE BC D DECADE BCD DECADE DECADE B C D DECADE [15] 3,684,870 1 Aug. 15, 1972Lien ..235/92 EA Schlein ..235/92 DE Attorney-Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb &Chilton 57 ABSTRACT An electronic counter having primary and percentagecounters connected to be indexed together and a count selector connectedto the primary counter for generating a predetermining signal when theaccumulated count of the primary counter reaches a preselected count andconnected to the percentage counter for generating a percentage signaland for resetting the percentage counter after each approximately 10percent increment of the selected count. A numeral indicator is providedfor indicating the accumulated count of the primary counter,- and tenseparate segments of a bar indicator are operable in succession by thepercentage signals to provide an analog display of the proportion of theselected count accumulated in the primary counter.

10 Claim, 1 Drawing; Figure DRIVER CIRCUIT ST RE LAY BCD L0 DECADE STOPDECIMAL DETECTOR DETECTOR PERCENTAGE COUNTER BRIEF SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates generally to counters and moreparticularly to a new and improved percentage counter providingpercentage signals as an accumulated count reaches predeterminedpercentages of a preselected count.

It is a primary aim of the present invention to provide a new andimproved percentage counter settable for generating a predeterminingsignal when an accumulated count reaches a preselected count and forgenerating percentage signals when the accumulated count reaches certainpercentages of the preselected count.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improvedpercentage counter for generating a signal for each incremental increaseof an accumulated count equalling approximately percent of a preselectedcount. i

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a new andimproved percentage counter for generating control signals after eachpreselected incremental increase of an accumulated count.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improvedpercentage counter having a numeral indicator providing a numeralregistration of an accumulated count and an analog indicator providingan analog registration of the accumulated count as a proportion of apreselected count.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawing of anillustrative application of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

The FIGURE is a schematic representation of a percentage counterincorporating an embodiment of the present invention. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing indetail wherein like numerals represent like parts, a percentage counter10 incorporating an embodiment of the present invention is showncomprising an indicator 12 having a numeral indicator 13 with fourseven-bar, FIG. 8 type digit indicators 14-17 and a vertical barindicator 20 comprising a stack of 10 indicator segments or bars 21. Theindicator 12 may, for example, be a liquid crystal indicator of the typeshown and described in US. Pat. No. 3,505,804 of S. R. Hofstein,entitled Solid State Clock and dated Apr. 14, 1970.

The numeral indicator 13 is connected to provide a visual readout of theaccumulated count of a primary electronic counter 26 having four BCDdecades 28-31 of ascending order and connected to be stepped byelectrical pulses in an input lead 32. The BCD decades 28-31 areconnected to the digit indicators 14-17 respectively via suitabledecoder-driver circuits 37 such that each digit indicator provides anumeral display of the decimal count of the corresponding BCD decade.

The percentage counter 10 comprises a selector or predeterminer 46having four selector decades 38-41 of ascending order with individualselector knobs 42 and cooperating identifying numeral indicia forpreselecting a predetermining count within a four place decimal range.The selector decades 38-41 provide a primary selector 52 with fourl0-position selector switches 53 each having a contact arm 54 (settableby the respective selector knob 42) and 10 equiangularly spaced contacts55. The ten contacts 55 of each selector decade 38-41 are connected to acorresponding BCD decade 28-31 of the counter 26 via a suitableBCD-to-decimal converter 58 to be individually energized by the counterdecade in accordance with its decimal count. The contact arms 54 of theprimary selector 52 are connected via leads 59-62 to a coincidencedetector 63 which functions to generate a predetermining" signal in theoutput lead 65 when all four contact arm leads 59-62 are energized andtherefore when the accumulated count of the primary counter 26corresponds to the preselected count established by the four selectorknobs 42.

The predetermining signal generated in the output lead 65 may if desiredby suitably used to control any apparatus with which the percentagecounter 10 is associated. For example, the percentage counter 10 may beassociated with a coil winding machine to provide for terminating thewinding operation (with the predetermining signal) when the number ofwindings is equal to the number manually established by the primaryselector 52, in which case the coil winding machine would be suitablyadapted to generate an input pulse for indexing the counter 26 one stepfor each winding. The predetermining" signal is also shown used tooperate a stop relay 67 to disconnect the input lead 32 from the counter26 to prevent any additional or spurious pulses from operating thecounter 26.

The three highest order selector decades 39-41 have additionall0-position selector switches 53 which provide a percentage selector 68.The percentage selector 68 is therefore shown to be an integral part ofthe selector 46 and the contact arms 54 of the percentage selector 68are connected to be set by the selector knobs 42 (at the same settingsas the three highest order switches 53 of the primary selector 52) suchthat the percentage selector 68 is set at a count (within a three placedecimal range) equal to the count established by the three highest orderswitches 53 of the primary selector 52 and therefore at a count which isapproximately 10 percent of the count established by the primaryselector 52.

The percentage selector switches 53 are connected (via suitableBCD-to-decimal converters 58) to three BCD decades 79-81 respectively ofa percentage counter 82 such that all three output leads 83-85 of thepercentage selector 68 are energized when the accumulated count of thepercentage counter 82 is equal to the count preselected by thepercentage selector 68. The percentage counter 82 is connected to hestepped (by the input pulses in the input lead 32) along with thecounter 26, and a percentage coincidence detector 88 is connected to beoperated by the percentage counter output leads 83-85 to generate apercentage" signal in lead 90 when all three output leads 83-85 areenergized.

The percentage signal so generated provides for resetting the percentagecounter 82 to and indexing a BCD decade or sequencing circuit 92 onestep. Thus, the percentage counter 82 is operated to repetitively countto the count established by the percentage selector 68 and therefore toan amount which is approximately a fixed percentage of percent of thecount established by the primary selector 52.

The sequencing circuit 92 is connected via a BCD- to-decimal converter58 and a suitable gate circuit 96 for energizing the 10 indicatorsegments 21 in succession and to provide percentage or control signalsin a bank 98 of 10 control leads 99. Preferably the gate circuit 96 isdesigned to maintain the indicator segments energized after they areinitially energized by the percentage signals such that the indicatorforms a bar indicator which increases in length in incrementsrepresenting approximately 10 percent of the amount manually preselectedwith the selector 46.

The percentage" signals provided by the bank 98 of control leads 99 maybe selectively used in accordance with each particular installation tocontrol the associated equipment. For example, where the percentagecounter 10 is connected to control a coil winding machine, the machinecan be selectively connected to be operated by the percentage" signalsfor timely stopping the machine for adding center taps to the coil.Also, the machine operator can use the percentage indicator 20 forrunning the coil winding machine at full speed until approximately thedesired number of windings have been wound. The machine can then be runat a slower speed with the operator either manually stopping the machineat the proper number of windings or permitting the'appropriatepercentage signal to stop the machine.

The counter circuit is also shown comprising a start" relay 100connected to be operated by a start" signal in input lead 103 tocondition the percentage counter 10 for a subsequent predeterminingoperation by resetting the counters 26, 82 and BCD decade 92 to O and byoperating the stop relay 67 for connecting the input lead 32 to thecounters 26, 82.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, variousmodifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specificdisclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of thepresent invention.

lclaim:

l. A predetermining counter comprising a primary counter operable forbeing stepped to accumulate a first count, a resettable percentagecounter connected in parallel with the primary counter for being steppedsubstantially simultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate asecond count, selector means for selecting a first primary count and asecond percentage count less than the first primary count, the selectormeans being connected to the primary counter to generate apredetermining signal when 'the accumulated count of the primary counterreaches said selected primary count and being connected to thepercentage counter to both generate a percentage signal andautomatically reset the percentage counter each time the accumulatedcount of the percentage counter reaches said selected percentage count.

2. A predetermining counter according to claim 1 wherein the selectormeans comprises a first primary selector manually operable for selectingsaid first primary count and connected to the primary counter togenerate said predetermining signal when the accumulated count of theprimary counter reaches said selected primary count and a secondpercentage selector manually operable for selecting said secondpercentage count and connected to the percentage counter to generatesaid percentage signal and reset the percentage counter each time theaccumulated count of the percentage counter reaches said selectedpercentage count.

3. A predetermining counter according to claim 2 wherein the primaryselector comprises n decade selectors of ascending order operable forselecting the amounts of the places respectively of an n decimal placeprimary count and wherein the percentage selector comprises n-a decadeselectors of ascending order operable for selecting the amounts of theplaces respectively of an n-a decimal place percentage count wherein nand a are positive whole numbers and a is less than n.

4. A predetermining counter according to claim 3 wherein then-a decadeselectors of the percentage selector are connected to be set with then-a highest order decade selectors respectively of the primary selectorsuch that the percentage count selected by the percentage selector isapproximately a fixed percentage of the primary count selected by theprimary selector.

5. A predetermining counter according to claim 4 wherein said fixedpercentage is 10 percent.

6. A predetermining counter comprising a primary electronic counteroperable for being stepped to accumulate a primary count, a resettablepercentage electronic counter connected in parallel with the primarycounter for being stepped substantially simultaneously with the primarycounter to accumulate a percentage count, a multiple digit numeralindicator connected to the primary counter for displaying theaccumulated count thereof, selector means for preselecting a firstprimary decimal count within a multiple decimal place range and a secondpercentage decimal count, the selector means being connected to theprimary counter to generate a predetermining signal when the accumulatedcount of the primary counter reaches the preselected primary decimalcount and being connected to the percentage counter to both generate apercentage signal and automatically reset the percentage counter eachtime the accumulated count of the percentage counter reaches thepreselected percentage decimal count, and an analog indicator having aplurality of separate segments connected to be operated in succession bysuccessive percentage signals respectively for displaying the amountaccumulated in the primary counter as a proportion of the preselectedprimary decimal count.

7. A counter comprising a primary counter operable for being stepped toaccumulate a primary count, a resettable percentage counter connected inparallel with the primary counter for being stepped substantiallysimultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate a percentagecount, means for displaying the accumulated count of the primarycounter, selector means for preselecting a percentage count which is apredetermined percentage of a predetermined count and connected to thepercentage counter to both generate a percentage signal andautomatically reset the percentage counter each time the accumulatedcount of the percentage counter reaches the preselected percentagecount, and an analog indicator having a plurality of separate segmentsoperable in succession by successive percentage signals for displayingthe amount accumulated in the primary counter as a percentage of saidpredetermined count.

8. A counter according to claim 7 wherein the selector means providesfor preselecting said predetermined count and for thereby automaticallypreselecting a percentage count which is a predetermined percentage ofthe preselected primary count.

9. A percentage indicating system comprising a primary counter operablefor being stepped to accumulate a primary count, an indicator having anumeral indicator portion for registering the accumulated count of theprimary counter and an analog indicator portion with a line of aplurality of separate indicator segments adapted to be individuallyactivated to present an analog registration, a percentage counterconnected in parallel with the primary counter for being steppedsubstantially simultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate apercentage count, the percentage counter being manually settable forpreselecting a percentage count which is a predetermined percentage of apredetermined count and means for both automatically resetting thepercentage counter and activating an indicator segment each time theaccumulated count of the percentage counter reaches said preselectedpercentage count to activate the indicator segments in succession fordisplaying the amount accumulated in the primary counter as a proportionof said predetermined count.

10. A predetermining counter comprising a primary counter operable forbeing stepped to accumulate a first count, a resettable percentagecounter connected for being stepped with the primary counter toaccumulate a second count, selector means for selecting a first primarycount and a second percentage count less than the first primary count,the selector means being connected to the primary counter to generate apredetermining signal when the accumulated count of the primary counterreaches said selected primary count and being connected to thepercentage counter to generate a percentage signal and reset thepercentage counter each time the accumulated count of the percentagecounter reaches said selected percentage count, the selector meanscomprising a first primary selector manually operable for selecting saidfirst primary count and connected to the primary counter to generatesaid predetermining signal when the accumulated count of the primarycounter reaches said selected primary count and a second percentageselector manually operable for selecting said second percentage countand connected to the percentage counter to generate said percentagesignal and reset the percentage counter each time the accumulated countof the percentage counter reaches said selected percentage count, thefirst primary selector and the second percentage selector beingconnected to be jointly manually operated such that the secondpercentage selector is operated to select a percentage count which is anapproximately fixed percentage of the primary count selected by theprimary selector.

1. A predetermining counter comprising a primary counter operable forbeing stepped to accumulate a first count, a resettable percentagecounter connected in parallel with the primary counter for being steppedsubstantially simultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate asecond count, selector means for selecting a first primary count and asecond percentage count less than the first primary count, the selectormeans being connected to the primary counter to generate apredetermining signal when the accumulated count of the primary counterreaches said selected primary count and being connected to thepercentage counter to both generate a percentage signal andautomatically reset the percentage counter each time the accumulatedcount of the percentage counter reaches said selected percentage count.2. A predetermining counter according to claim 1 wherein the selectormeans comprises a first primary selector manually operable for selectingsaid first primary count and connected to the primary counter togenerate said predetermining signal when the accumulated count of theprimary counter reaches said selected primary count and a secondpercentage selector manually operable for selecting said secondpercentage count and connected to the percentage counter to generatesaid percentage signal and reset the percentage counter each time theaccumulated count of the percentage counter reaches said selectedpercentage count.
 3. A predetermining counter according to claim 2wherein the primary selector comprises n decade selectors of ascendingorder operable for selecting the amounts of the places resPectively ofan n decimal place primary count and wherein the percentage selectorcomprises n-a decade selectors of ascending order operable for selectingthe amounts of the places respectively of an n-a decimal placepercentage count wherein n and a are positive whole numbers and a isless than n.
 4. A predetermining counter according to claim 3 whereinthe n-a decade selectors of the percentage selector are connected to beset with the n- a highest order decade selectors respectively of theprimary selector such that the percentage count selected by thepercentage selector is approximately a fixed percentage of the primarycount selected by the primary selector.
 5. A predetermining counteraccording to claim 4 wherein said fixed percentage is 10 percent.
 6. Apredetermining counter comprising a primary electronic counter operablefor being stepped to accumulate a primary count, a resettable percentageelectronic counter connected in parallel with the primary counter forbeing stepped substantially simultaneously with the primary counter toaccumulate a percentage count, a multiple digit numeral indicatorconnected to the primary counter for displaying the accumulated countthereof, selector means for preselecting a first primary decimal countwithin a multiple decimal place range and a second percentage decimalcount, the selector means being connected to the primary counter togenerate a predetermining signal when the accumulated count of theprimary counter reaches the preselected primary decimal count and beingconnected to the percentage counter to both generate a percentage signaland automatically reset the percentage counter each time the accumulatedcount of the percentage counter reaches the preselected percentagedecimal count, and an analog indicator having a plurality of separatesegments connected to be operated in succession by successive percentagesignals respectively for displaying the amount accumulated in theprimary counter as a proportion of the preselected primary decimalcount.
 7. A counter comprising a primary counter operable for beingstepped to accumulate a primary count, a resettable percentage counterconnected in parallel with the primary counter for being steppedsubstantially simultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate apercentage count, means for displaying the accumulated count of theprimary counter, selector means for preselecting a percentage countwhich is a predetermined percentage of a predetermined count andconnected to the percentage counter to both generate a percentage signaland automatically reset the percentage counter each time the accumulatedcount of the percentage counter reaches the preselected percentagecount, and an analog indicator having a plurality of separate segmentsoperable in succession by successive percentage signals for displayingthe amount accumulated in the primary counter as a percentage of saidpredetermined count.
 8. A counter according to claim 7 wherein theselector means provides for preselecting said predetermined count andfor thereby automatically preselecting a percentage count which is apredetermined percentage of the preselected primary count.
 9. Apercentage indicating system comprising a primary counter operable forbeing stepped to accumulate a primary count, an indicator having anumeral indicator portion for registering the accumulated count of theprimary counter and an analog indicator portion with a line of aplurality of separate indicator segments adapted to be individuallyactivated to present an analog registration, a percentage counterconnected in parallel with the primary counter for being steppedsubstantially simultaneously with the primary counter to accumulate apercentage count, the percentage counter being manually settable forpreselecting a percentage count which is a predetermined percentage of apredetermined count and means for both automatically resetting thepercentage counTer and activating an indicator segment each time theaccumulated count of the percentage counter reaches said preselectedpercentage count to activate the indicator segments in succession fordisplaying the amount accumulated in the primary counter as a proportionof said predetermined count.
 10. A predetermining counter comprising aprimary counter operable for being stepped to accumulate a first count,a resettable percentage counter connected for being stepped with theprimary counter to accumulate a second count, selector means forselecting a first primary count and a second percentage count less thanthe first primary count, the selector means being connected to theprimary counter to generate a predetermining signal when the accumulatedcount of the primary counter reaches said selected primary count andbeing connected to the percentage counter to generate a percentagesignal and reset the percentage counter each time the accumulated countof the percentage counter reaches said selected percentage count, theselector means comprising a first primary selector manually operable forselecting said first primary count and connected to the primary counterto generate said predetermining signal when the accumulated count of theprimary counter reaches said selected primary count and a secondpercentage selector manually operable for selecting said secondpercentage count and connected to the percentage counter to generatesaid percentage signal and reset the percentage counter each time theaccumulated count of the percentage counter reaches said selectedpercentage count, the first primary selector and the second percentageselector being connected to be jointly manually operated such that thesecond percentage selector is operated to select a percentage countwhich is an approximately fixed percentage of the primary count selectedby the primary selector.